Match Me Up Read online

“I’ll organize your schedule. I’ll filter your emails. I’ll answer calls that are sent to you. I’ll get coffee and whatever else you need.”

  “I don’t need you to filter my emails or answer my phone calls,” I said.

  “Not all, but Marissa said you get a lot of emails that are frivolous and are about things like sponsoring Little League teams and stuff like that. We’re working on streamlining your day. Marissa says the company is growing and your days are becoming cluttered.”

  “Cluttered?”

  “Too much busy work that’s keeping you from doing the stuff that you like,” she explained.

  I nodded again. That was a true statement. “Okay.”

  “Okay?”

  “I’m going to my office now,” I said. “You’re going to do all those things you said. Except coffee. I don’t need coffee.”

  Her face lit up. “Holler if you need me.”

  “Literally?” I questioned.

  “We don’t have an intercom setup yet,” she said with a small laugh.

  I wasn’t sure how I felt about my little company changing. I liked it small. We all worked well together. But I understood my team was feeling the weight of the increase in demand. Our last app had been a huge success and the next one would hopefully be even more successful. We were constantly being asked to develop apps and software for various companies.

  “Thanks for, uh, taking the job,” I said. I wasn’t sure what one said to a new hire.

  “I can’t wait to get started!”

  I had no idea what to say to that and chose to walk away instead. I sat down at my desk and fired up the computer. I had three screens displayed in front of me. I liked to see everything at once. Some people thought it was confusing. I wasn’t most people. My brain worked a little differently than most. It used to be embarrassing when I was a kid in school and smarter than the rest of them.

  Look who’s laughing now.

  I spent the morning working and reading code, something else that confused the hell out of the average person. I could read it like I was reading a book. I made some notes on a yellow pad without touching the code, even though I could see the errors that would need to be fixed before we could go to market.

  I opened the beta results, spreading the surveys between my three screens. I winced at some of the comments from the users. Fixable but they were stupid mistakes. This was why we did beta. But I hated that I had to put a product out there that was flawed. No matter how many nondisclosures we put out there, people talked. They became sources. I didn’t want my name being associated with a stinking pile of shit.

  I collected my yellow pad, tablet, and several pens and headed around the corner of the “pool” in the center of the office. I pushed open the door to the conference room that was small but suited our needs. We didn’t need big and fancy.

  “How bad is it?” my lead developer, Chris, asked.

  Chris was my right hand and the closest thing to a friend that I had. I tended to stick to myself. A side effect of my days in high school. It was easier to be alone and accept it than to try and make friends and be rejected.

  I used my tablet to project the spreadsheet I haphazardly created with the results from the beta test. “See for yourself,” I said.

  I looked around the room to judge their reactions. Chris nodded as he read before looking at me. “Not terrible,” he said.

  “No, not terrible. A few bugs. I reviewed some of the code and saw some hiccups. I’ll send my findings to you to implement and fix.”

  “Sounds good,” he said. “What about the release date? Are we still on track for next month?”

  I thought about it for a second. “That’s the goal.”

  “But?” he pressed. “I’m picking up on some hesitation.”

  “We can’t afford a smoking pile of shit,” I said. “These little bugs are simple fixes, but what if there is something bigger? If the little things got past us, there’s a chance something bigger got past us.”

  “We’ll go over it with a fine-toothed comb,” he said. “It’s good. You know it’s good.”

  “It is good, and I think it will be a hit, but we can’t risk bugs,” I said. “We’re not Microsoft. We can’t take bad reviews.”

  “You know there are going to be some hacks that complain, but it is functional. It does what we say it is going to do. We’ll fix the bugs and be ready to pull it and fix any problems that arise.”

  “Fine,” I said with a sigh and turned to the brain of the developing team. “Devon, what do you have?”

  He was more of a nerd than any nerd I had ever met. It took one to know one. He pushed up his glasses and stared down at his tablet. He didn’t make a lot of eye contact. It was just who he was. “I’ve been looking into some of the medical app ideas,” he said.

  I raised my eyebrows. “Medical apps?”

  His head bobbed up and down, giving me one quick look before looking back at his screen. “Apps that are connected to things like Apple watches, Fitbits and stuff like that have a lot of potential. We’ve got some requests to monitor heartrates that could send an alert for heart attacks, panic attacks, fear or whatever.”

  “Is it already a saturated market?” I asked.

  “Not yet,” he mumbled.

  “Get on it,” I told him. “See what we can do. Anything else?”

  “Me and Drake were messing around with some games,” he mumbled.

  I wasn’t a fan of the game market. It was heavily saturated, and I wasn’t interested in dealing with glitches that were inevitable. “Let’s stay focused on your other ideas,” I said. “What about the app for the smart homes?”

  He cleared his throat. “That’s complicated. There is new technology constantly coming out and we’re running into problems with the constant updates.”

  “Anyone have anything else?” I asked after we spent twenty minutes tossing around more ideas.

  No one had anything to say. Everyone left except Chris, which was the usual habit. “What’s up?” I asked him, knowing there was something on his mind.

  “This app is good,” he said. “It’s ready to hit the app stores.”

  “But?” I asked and rolled my hand at him.

  “But we have to find a way to tell people it’s available. We are cutting ourselves off at the knees with zero advertisement.”

  “I’m going to take out some online ads,” I told him.

  He shook his head. “That’s not enough. We need to spend money to make money. I know you don’t want to hear it again, but we need to think about hiring a marketing manager. We need someone that knows how to use social media to get the word out. We’re creating cutting edge technology but using dinosaur marketing strategies.”

  “We can tweet,” I told him.

  He smirked and shook his head. “Not like these social media gurus. Not only that, but we aren’t cool. We’re tech guys. Our brains work differently than marketing people. We need this to hit big. All we need is one big hit and we’re on the map. You won’t have to worry about how you’re going to pay the marketing guru. We will be flush.”

  “I’m not too worried about paying someone, but do we need them on the payroll? I’ve had plenty of businesses reach out. They all want to pitch me their services.”

  “You need to seriously think about this,” he said. “Try it for this one launch. If we don’t see a big jump in downloads, then we know it doesn’t work. It’s good business. I know you don’t necessarily aspire to be rich, but why not aim for extremely comfortable?”

  I laughed and shut down my tablet. “Are you preemptively asking for a raise?”

  He winked as he got to his feet. “I’ve got a family to support. Patricia is pregnant again.”

  I was shocked, but I shouldn’t have been. “Is your intent to populate the earth with your spawn?”

  “We want to get it out of the way young,” he said nonchalantly. “This is the last one.”

  “Yeah right,” I said.

  “Thre
e is enough. We’re hoping for a girl.”

  “And if you get boy number three?” I asked.

  He laughed as we walked out of the conference room together. “We’ll cross that bridge when we get there.”

  I knew what that meant. I got back to my office, checked my phone, and saw I had three missed calls from my twin sister. Worried, I called her right back. “What’s up?” I asked. “Are you okay?”

  “I’m fine, but I need a favor,” she said.

  I sighed and sat down. This was going to be good. We were twins. I knew her almost as well as I knew myself. She wanted something and it wasn’t going to be something I wanted to give.

  3

  Lily

  I stared at Tamlyn with open surprise. “Live with your brother?” I repeated.

  “Yes! He lives in Austin.”

  “Tamlyn.” I groaned and threw my arm across my forehead. “I haven’t seen Tommy in forever. I can’t just show up with my suitcase and ask for a room.”

  “I’m going to call him and ask if it’s cool if you live with him for a bit,” she said and pushed my legs off her lap.

  “No!”

  Too late. She was already on the phone. Thankfully, he didn’t answer. I was not a charity case. I refused to be someone’s pity project.

  “He’ll call me back,” she said.

  “If he does, don’t you dare ask him. I don’t want to live with him.”

  “Why not?” she asked. “You guys got along fine when we were young.”

  I rolled my eyes. “We’re not little. We have not seen each other since he left for school. I can’t really call him a friend.”

  “He’s my brother,” she reminded me like I would somehow forget. “He’s a friend by proxy.”

  “Uh, I’m not sure it works like that.”

  “You haven’t seen each other in a few years, but it’s not like you don’t know him. He’s still the same old Tommy.”

  I walked to my fridge and hoped a White Claw would mysteriously appear. I needed a drink. I wanted to celebrate and freak out at the same time. How could everything be falling into place and falling apart at the same time?

  I grabbed a can of Diet Coke and turned back to Tamlyn. “I’ll find something,” I said. “I need to start looking, like, yesterday.”

  “Thomas has a two-bedroom apartment,” she went on. “It’s a big place in a nice building. I know he wouldn’t charge you rent. He’s making plenty of money.”

  “I’m not a charity case,” I asserted. “Besides, I imagine he has a girlfriend that would be less than thrilled to have me move in.”

  She snorted. “This is Thomas. He’s still awkward and has zero social skills. He doesn’t have a girlfriend.”

  That excuse was off the list. “Doesn’t he own his own business?” I asked.

  “Yep. Software or apps something or other. You know he was all about the tech stuff.”

  “It’s pretty cool he turned it into a career,” I said.

  “You would think ladies would learn,” she said and clucked her tongue. “Elon, Bill, Steve, I mean the nerds in high school are the future billionaires. I bet Bella what’s-her-name is regretting turning him down when he asked her to prom.”

  “She was a bitch,” I agreed. “She wasn’t good enough for him.”

  “You can move in with him,” she said again. “You guys can keep each other company. I know he doesn’t have a social life. You two really are alike. Maybe that’s why I was drawn to you.”

  “Why?”

  “You’re like my female fraternal twin,” she said with a light laugh.

  “Very funny.”

  “Okay, back to the topic at hand,” she said.

  She wasn’t going to let it go. “Tamlyn, I can’t,” I said. “I appreciate the suggestion, but he’s basically a stranger. I’m a stranger to him. I doubt he’s going to want me to crash his bachelor pad.”

  “He’s not going to care,” she insisted. “If I remember right, he lives pretty close to campus. Then you can walk and save even more money. And being in the big city all alone isn’t exactly safe. He’s a big guy and can make sure your gorgeous self isn’t accosted. He’s not going to let anything happen to you. Free rent and a personal bodyguard? How could you turn that down?”

  She was convincing me. “It would be nice if I could just work part time,” I murmured. “But I would pay something. I can’t be a freeloader.”

  “Offer to do his laundry or clean the bathroom,” she said. “Actually, I think he has a laundry service and a housekeeper, but maybe you can cook him dinner now and then.”

  “I’m not sure if I’m a freeloader or a housewife that doesn’t do anything,” I said. “Neither appeals to me.”

  “You guys can work something out,” she said. “Set aside your pride and just think about it. It’s a good plan. It’s a great plan.”

  “You’re right,” I said. “It is a good plan.”

  “A great plan,” she insisted with her usual smile.

  Her phone rang. “It’s him!” she squealed.

  I groaned and felt nervous all over again. I couldn’t listen to the conversation. I felt like a total loser for needing the help. I was fiercely independent and hated the idea of a handout. But when I really considered the options, this was a good thing. I wasn’t rich. I was going to grad school and needed to devote my time to my education. Failing a class was not an option.

  I went into my bedroom and looked around at the sparsely furnished room. I wondered how big his extra room was. What would I need to get rid of? I sat on the bed and waited to hear the news. I was both hoping he would agree to the deal and yet hoping he wouldn’t. How awkward was this living situation going to be?

  Tommy, as I called him, was nice enough. I remembered having a little crush on Thomas. I loved that he was smart and unashamed of it. I wondered if he still wore glasses. I used to wonder why he didn’t just get contacts. It would have cut down on the ribbing he got from students in school. He didn’t seem to care. I admired him for doing what he wanted without worrying about what everyone else had to say about it. I wished I could have been more like him. He seemed to have an impervious shell. I was not quite so fortunate.

  “He said yes!” Tamlyn said as she rushed into my room.

  “No.”

  She clapped her hands. “Yes. He said okay.”

  “He said okay, like you forced him into agreeing or he wanted to do it?”

  She waved her hand. “He is okay with it,” she said. “The room is empty. I told him you had a bed and stuff. He said he was cool with it.”

  “Wow,” I said and sat down on the bed.

  She sat down beside me. “You want this,” she insisted. “You have to push away the apprehension. I know it’s a big change. You’re moving, and I’m going to miss you, but this is what you wanted. I know it isn’t ideal, but I really think it’s going to work out fine. I will worry like crazy if you’re in the city all by your little self.”

  I rolled my eyes. “I’m a big girl.”

  “You guys are going to have fun,” she insisted. “You can keep an eye on my little brother.”

  “By twelve minutes,” I snorted.

  “Still, he’s my little brother and I have to look out for him. You can spy on him. Tell me if he’s dating anyone I should know about. Let me know what he’s up to and stuff.”

  “Are you sending me in to be your spy?” I questioned.

  She grinned. “Nope. Not at all. Now get dressed. We’re going out to celebrate. My treat.”

  “You don’t have to buy me drinks,” I told her and hopped off the bed. “I’m not totally destitute.”

  “We’re celebrating! I’m definitely buying.”

  She walked out of the room and left me to change into something more suitable for an evening out. Big changes were coming. I had been in this little apartment for two years while I got my bachelor’s degree. I was going to kind of miss it, but I was thrilled to start a new chapter.

&nbs
p; “Let’s do this,” I said.

  We took the bus to one of our favorite restaurants and ordered tacos and margaritas. “I’m going to miss our little taco Tuesdays,” I said with a sigh.

  “I happen to know they have tacos in Austin and I just happen to know Thomas loves tacos.”

  “It won’t be the same without you,” I complained.

  “I’ll visit often,” she said and took a giant, manly bite of her taco. “And I’ll get to see my brother,” she mumbled around a mouthful of food.

  “I can’t believe I’m heading to Austin,” I exclaimed.

  She giggled and reached for her margarita. “I knew the alcohol would help it sink in. You were in shock. Understandable.”

  “Have you been to your brother’s apartment?” I asked.

  “Yep.”

  “Is it small? Are we going to be on top of each other? What’s the bathroom situation?”

  She laughed and took another drink. “I might have downplayed where he lives a little.”

  “What does that mean?”

  “You know he’s been very successful with his computer stuff,” she said.

  “You said he sold a program or an app or something,” I said with a nod. “I imagine that made him some money.”

  She snorted. “Yeah, just a little bit. He is getting ready to launch another app that’s going to make him more money. He’s doing very well and splurged on a luxury apartment.”

  That made me nervous. “Seriously?”

  “Oh my gosh, wait until you see this place!”

  “You didn’t tell me he was rich!” I exclaimed.

  “Why does that matter?” she asked.

  “Because—I don’t know—I really am a charity case for him.”

  “No, you are not. He has a huge apartment. In fact, I think it has three bathrooms. Maybe three and a half. I know he has an extra bedroom. And an office. The place is super nice. You get to live in luxury.”

  “They’re probably going to kick me out of the building,” I muttered. “Or put down puppy pads.”

  “Lucky for you, his apartment only has carpet in the bedrooms,” she teased.

  “I’m so nervous about this,” I said with a sigh. “I just hope I don’t embarrass myself.”